Great Things Made in the USA. - a list by DoctorScience

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About this list:

Top quality products made in the USA. Don't 'buy American' just to be patriotic, buy USA-made products that are the best in their class, quality icons.

Qualifications:

When the best stuff is made in the USA, I love it even more.

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Viewing 1-10 of 14 Items

Benchmade 1100 Series Tactical Pen

First to recommend

Description

I never thought a pen could be terrifying until a friend showed me this one.

It's a ridiculously solid machined aluminum construction, very much like a Maglite, with grippy, knurled ribs for solid handling. Comes in beautiful anodized colors. The ink cartridge is made by the Fisher Space Pen folks, so it's flawless in quality and writes at any angle.

For those reasons alone, it's a seriously lustworthy product.

The non-ink end forms a rather sharp point. Not so sharp you'll inadvertantly cut yourself with it, but sharp enough that if you were in a serious disagreement with someone who meant you harm, you could possibly use it to defend yourself. Grab the pen with at the grippiest section, thumb over the blunt end, and...

The website doesn't mention this specifically. Some of the press says the pen is good for 'close-in work.' The fluting on the barrel of the pen just beyond the point is probably great for relieving back pressure. If you get my drift.

Benchmade is an Oregon-based knife maker who just passed their 20 year anniversary. They make a lot of I-could-kill-you-in-an-instant/Navy-Seal type stuff.

I'm not a knife person and I do find this pen somewhat terrifying. But I had to get one for myself. In pink.

Updated Sep 7, 2009

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Swrve Men's Jeans

First to recommend

Description

Swrve is a little made-in-USA apparel company that makes super cool stuff for bike messengers, fixy riders, etc. They anticipate how you move and stretch in their designs. Comfortable and yet makes you feel like you could rip down the block on your bike if you had to. I guess some people do.

The jeans are made in indigo or black of 98% cotton with 2% Lycra, with seamless gusseted crotch, articulated knees, lower front and a slight rise in the back, and back pockets that fit a mini-U lock. Inside the right pant leg is a reflective stripe that shows when you roll your cuff up to keep it out of your bike chain.

I have three pairs of these and love the fit that's close to the body but not at all constricting. Plus no one I know has them!

Even though the cut is somewhat close to the body, the fit is on the generous side; don't order them bigger than necessary. There is a limited edition gray version that I'd avoid as it comes out of the dryer SO wrinkled and never relaxes.

Updated Aug 19, 2009

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Swrve Milwaukee hoodie

First to recommend

Description

Swrve is a little made-in-USA apparel company that makes cool stuff for bike messengers, fixy riders, etc. They use nice materials, cut things relatively close to the body, and anticipate how you move and stretch in their designs. Comfortable, and yet makes you feel like you could rip down the block on your bike if you had to. Some people do. I just wear it.

The Milwaukee looks like a regular hoodie but is available in this super top shelf Softshell 3000 water & wind resistant fabric. Breathable. The interior is thin/soft fleece.

The cut has a relatively high waist in front to prevent bunching, low back to cover your bum and keep it warm, and the shoulder seams are placed away from bag-strap pressure points. See what I mean? It has one of those YKK double zipper zippers so you can do it up on top and open it up on bottom if needed, eyelets in the pits for ventilation, hidden zippered back pockets to store stuff a la an old school bike jersey, and a perfect mesh internal stash pocket.

I love this hoodie 'cause it's stylish, built well, comfortable, and no one else has one that I know. I always get compliments when I wear it.

Updated Aug 19, 2009

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Hero Bags pork lunch bag

2 people recommended this item

Description

So cute! Holds a big lunch. Made in the USA from certified organic cotton grown in the USA. Streamlined handle design and a shape inspired by origami.

Taking your lunch and a SIGG bottle is SO much less impactful than buying a bunch of to-go food and bottled water, and you can look good doing it!

Updated Aug 17, 2009

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Birdwell Beach Britches

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

You may think surf trunks are so ubiquitous that they have always been in existence, but Birdwells started the rage - and believe you me, it was a rage - in 1961. These nylon boardies were so coveted that guys would buy armloads while on vacay in so cal and bring them back to their inland pals. Remember, there was no online shopping back in the day.

I think these are supersexy if worn with the right attitude. But here's an important style note: they're short. Not short-short short, but way above the knee.

Updated May 30, 2007

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Coach Cabin Bag

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

Crafted of beautiful, classic Coach leather. In some ways not the world's most practical bag, as it lacks wheels but (in the large size) is big enough to carry a pretty heavy load. However, its design will never be out of date and its leather will only become better looking and feeling over the years. I love mine and just use it for specific trips when I don't need ultimate practicality.

Updated May 26, 2009

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Randolph Engineering Aviator Sunglasses

First to recommend

Description

High quality, classic aviators from an actual military supplier. If you use prescription lenses, you can order just the frames direct from the company (ask them to send lens blanks) and have your doctor or lab make the lenses for you. Very reasonable, good stuff.

See Aviator, Crew Chief, Concorde.

Updated Mar 23, 2009

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Maglite flashlights

5 people recommended this item

Description

Made with precision in the USA, always useful, and you can never have too many. I prefer the LED versions.

Keep a big one in the car, it can double as a self-defense aid.

I have them all over the house, and they make great gifts. Love finding unusual colors!

Updated May 22, 2009

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Hero Bags 'Two Bottle Bag'. Tote for wine or glass water bottles. Designer canvas bottle bag. Made in USA

3 people recommended this item

Description

This is an excellent idea for a shopping/tote bag. I don't know how many times I've carefully carried a bag with clanking bottles home from a store, or over to someone's house just hoping that they don't collide with too much force. With this bag and its two separate compartments --- no worries. Not only would I buy this for myself (and I plan to), but I would be sorely tempted not to buy a couple as gifts.

$14.95, currently on sale for $12.95

Updated Dec 17, 2008

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Hammerness Fixed Gear Bikes

First to recommend

Description

Handmade from steel, lugged and brazed, one at a time in Los Angeles.

Totally custom and innovatively engineered for unbelievable street tricks. Painted any color you want.

If you can have it custom, why would you ever go off the rack?

Updated May 1, 2009

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